• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 2006

Sex steroids are generally considered as natural sex inducers in fish, and aromatase (cytochrome P450 aromatase) that catalyzes androgens into estrogens in the steroidogenic pathway is also known to be involved in sex differentiation. The timing of aromatase action is, thus, of central importance in the study of fish sex differentiation. We treated sexually undifferentiated tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) larvae with $Fadrozole^{TM}$, a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (AI), by immersing the fish in a solution containing AI during the sex differentiation period to narrow down the critical period of aromatase action. Fish were treated once at 11 or 13 days post fertilization (dpf), or twice at 11 and 13 dpf. The concentrations of AI at each time of the treatment were 0 mg/L (control), 50 mg/L or 100 mg/L. Survival rate was not statistically associated with AI immersion treatment (p>0.25). However, sex ratio was significantly altered by the treatment, with higher concentration and double immersion being more effective in masculinizing genetic females (p<0.05). These results suggest that aromatase action for sex differentiation in this fish species would begin at least from 11 dpf which is much earlier than previously expected, and that only 3 hours of brief immersion in AI solution is powerful enough to alter genetically programed sex.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.634-639
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• 2012

The contribution levels of emissions from the heavy-duty vehicles have been continuously increased. Among the exhaust emissions, NOx (nitric oxides) have a ratio of 73.2% and particle matters have a proportion of 61.8% in the heavy-duty vehicles. Also, natural gas vehicles have the 78.9% of total registered local buses in Korea. Therefore, the investigation on emission characteristics of heavy-duty vehicles using CNG and diesel fuel according to the various driving cycles was carried out in this study. In order to analyze the emission characteristics, the five kinds of buses by using CNG and diesel fuels with a after-treatment devices (DPF, p-DPF) was used and five test driving schedules were applied for analysis of emission characteristics in a chassis dynamometer. To analyze the exhaust emission, the exhaust emission and PM analyzers were used. From this study, it is revealed that diesel buses with after-treatment had reduced emission of CO, HC, PM but NOx. Also, NMHC emission of CNG bus have a higher level and NOx level was similar with diesel buses. In addition, emissions in NIER06 with slow average speed shows lowest levels compared to other test modes.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 1990

Mather type plasma focus system is designed and fabricated, and its electrical behaviors and the ,~haracteristics of the plasma are investigated. The discharge CUlTent is measured with a Rogowski coil, and the external resistance and inductance of the system are found to be $20m\Omega, 0.2{\mu}H respectively from the measured voltage signals and current signals, and discharge inductance, magnetic, and mechanical energy are calculated. 'i'he speed of the plasma current sheath in the acceleration phase is found to vary as $P^{-0.25}\timesV^{0.38}$ and its value is about is 106 cm/sec. The electron temperature in the plasma is determined from the measurement of the X-ray transmittance with the number of X-ray filters and its value is found to be about I keY. The size of plasma, measured using X-ray pin-hole camera, is about 17 (dia.) x 30 (length)mm2. h)mm2.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.147-152
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• 2000

The rodent uterotrophic assay is currently recommended as one of the primary in vivo assays far endocrine disrupting chemicals by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee (US EPA EDSTAC). Generally, this assay relies on the rapid increase in uterus and vagina weights when exposed to estrogenic compounds. Phthalate esters have been used extensively as a plasticizer in the manufacture of plastic products such as PVC films and medical devices. Recently, phthalate esters have been shown to induce endocrine system mediated responses. However, a flew studies have been conducted for the screening of their estrogenic activity. In this study the estrogenic activity of seven phthalate esters, butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butylphthalate (DBP), diethylphthalate (DEP), di-n-pentylphthalate (DPF), di-n-propylphthalate (DPrP) and dicyclohexylphthalate (DCHP), was examined in uterotrophic assay. Phthalate esters dissolved in corn oil were administered to ovariectomized (OVX) female Sprague-Dawley rats by sub-cutaneous injection for three consecutive days. fiats were sacrificed 24h after final treatment, and then uterus and vagina weights were deter mined. All phthalate esters tested in this assay did not change talc uterus and vagina weights at dosage levels up to 200 mg/kg/day treatment. These results demonstrated that phthalate esters did not exhibit estrogenic activity in vivo uterotrophic assay.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1698-1710
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• 2022

Objective: Raw potato starch (RPS) is resistant to digestion, escapes absorption, and is metabolized by intestinal microflora in the large intestine and acts as their energy source. In this study, we compared the effect of different concentrations of RPS on the intestinal bacterial community of weaned piglets. Methods: Male weaned piglets (25-days-old, 7.03±0.49 kg) were either fed a corn/soybean-based control diet (CON, n = 6) or two treatment diets supplemented with 5% RPS (RPS5, n = 4) or 10% RPS (RPS10, n = 4) for 20 days and their fecal samples were collected. The day 0 and 20 samples were analyzed using a 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology, followed by total genomic DNA extraction, library construction, and high-throughput sequencing. After statistical analysis, five phyla and 45 genera accounting for over 0.5% of the reads in any of the three groups were further analyzed. Furthermore, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the day 20 fecal samples were analyzed using gas chromatography. Results: Significant changes were not observed in the bacterial composition at the phylum level even after 20 d post feeding (dpf); however, the abundance of Intestinimonas and Barnesiella decreased in both RPS treatment groups compared to the CON group. Consumption of 5% RPS increased the abundance of Roseburia (p<0.05) and decreased the abundance of Clostridium (p<0.01) and Mediterraneibacter (p< 0.05). In contrast, consumption of 10% RPS increased the abundance of Olsenella (p<0.05) and decreased the abundance of Campylobacter (p<0.05), Kineothrix (p<0.05), Paraprevotella (p<0.05), and Vallitalea (p<0.05). Additionally, acetate (p<0.01), butyrate (p<0.05), valerate (p = 0.01), and total SCFAs (p = 0.01) were upregulated in the RPS5 treatment group Conclusion: Feeding 5% RPS altered bacterial community composition and promoted gut health in weaned piglets. Thus, resistant starch as a feed additive may prevent diarrhea in piglets during weaning.